How Your Pet Communicates

He’s man’s best friend. He stands faithfully by our side. Never doubts us. Never questions us. He’s dog – we love him and know him well. At least, we think we do. But how well do we really know our dogs? Does a wagging tail always indicate happiness? Does panting always mean a dog is hot?

How well can you decipher your dog’s body language and his attempts to communicate with you?

Alert
Leaning forward
Ears are forward
Mouth might be closed
An alert dog could be curious or interested in what’s going on around him.

Dominant
Standing up tall and leaning forward
Tail held high
A dominant dog is showing another dog that he’s in charge.

Aggressive
Stiff posture
Tail moves back and forth, like a flag
Might show teeth and/or growl
Don’t run away from an aggressive dog. Stand tall and still and look away.

Anxious or Nervous
Ears are back
Tail is low, but the end might be wagging slightly
Posture is leaned back or turned to the side
Might be panting
A dog showing signs of anxiety is nervous about his surroundings and you should avoid petting him if you don’t know him.

Scared
Flattened ears
Tucked tail
Crouching lower to the ground
A scared dog should not be approached, because he might bite if he feels the need to defend himself.

We know that each animal communicates a little differently from the next, so we encourage you to pay attention to your dog this week and see if you can figure out what he might be trying to tell you! And if you have any questions or concerns about your pets behavior, we look forward to helping you understand your pet a little better at your next appointment.